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General Category >> Rubber Side Down! >> Does your savage hate the rain?
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Message started by hoohootribe on 10/12/05 at 14:37:33

Title: Does your savage hate the rain?
Post by hoohootribe on 10/12/05 at 14:37:33

My 650 n reg (uk) runs sweet as a nut on a dry day but add more than a drizzle and it won't stay ticking over. If I start it under cover and get the engine hot then I can just about get home if I don't throttle off too much in low gear. I have used vaseline on every connection I can find with the seats and side panels off to prevent water getting in. On the occasions I've broken down, using wd40 on ignition and kill switch didn't work either. I don't want to be condemmed to riding round with a cover in my backpack forever and don't want to put bike out to pasture for the winter.
Enough rambling! Any tips from fellow British weather sufferers? ???

Title: Re: Does your savage hate the rain?
Post by Colo_Hack on 10/13/05 at 05:49:06

Yeah move to the US!!!! ;D Just kidding... I had a similiar problem with my old Honda Shadow. I had water getting into the carb and it did the same thing. Make sure it's sealed up tight.
Hack

Title: Re: Does your savage hate the rain?
Post by Ken Long on 10/13/05 at 06:52:50

Wow, I thought I was the only one with this problem! On Sep 29, I rode to work in a heavy rain and left the Savage Beast parked outside in the parking lot. It rained all day. When I tried to start it after work it took a long time to start and I really had to baby the throttle to keep it running while it warmed up. It never stalled on the way home but she did run pretty rough for about 6 miles. It was just a light drizzle on the ride home.

Ken in Albuquerque

Title: Re: Does your savage hate the rain?
Post by lancer on 10/13/05 at 16:51:59

Invest in a bike cover.

Title: Re: Does your savage hate the rain?
Post by savage777 on 10/13/05 at 23:34:30

You need to make sure you aren't getting water into the air box, carb and gas tank.. The electrical stuff should be a gimme . Water and current don't mix. One thing i learned a long time ago. NEVER USE VASELINE on electrical connections A. vaseline is an insulator ,current can't pass through it . I know you're trying to keep water out but you should use contact grease it will keep water out but it is also conductive so it will actually not impede current . B . Vaseline will actually corrode circuit boards and switch connections ( Kinda like when a rubber worm gets left in a tackle box and eats the plastic)

Title: Rain and the Savage
Post by Savage_Rob on 10/14/05 at 06:09:36

That's the only thing giving me reservations about trying a pod filter... sucking water. I've heard it can be a problem so I've been sticking with the stock airbox and a drop-in K&N filter. It would be nice to reclaim the space taken by the airbox though - or maybe just use it for tool storage.

Title: Re: Rain and the Savage
Post by Greg_650 on 10/14/05 at 08:09:42

Savage_Rob wrote:

Not a problem Rob. Really. I have ridden in some really strong rains for the last 2 years, and for the same reason as you state, I have tried to notice if that would cause any problem.

I remember that it burped once in a 70 mile ride in some hellatious rain at interstate speeds (to Deals Gap no less), and it happened when I stopped at a light. However, in hind sight, It may have been that the engine was just too cold from all the water cooling. I used a little choke and it restarted just fine.

I think the problem here is strictly electrical. Don't worry.

Title: Re: Does your savage hate the rain?
Post by Savage_Rob on 10/14/05 at 10:22:23

I would agree that this problem is electrical.

Thanks for the feedback. I believe I will try a pod for while and see how it goes. Do you know, off the top of your head, what size is needed for the stock carb?

Title: Re: Does your savage hate the rain?
Post by Greg_650 on 10/14/05 at 11:49:15

Savage_Rob wrote:

The top, middle and bottom of my head don't remember things like they used to :)

That's why I always post this picture. You want a K&N? Here is the part number to buy it, and if you want the size you can use this number at the K&N site to find it....that is where I started.
http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b277/gmdinusa/KandN04web.jpg

Title: Re: Does your savage hate the rain?
Post by Savage_Rob on 10/14/05 at 12:55:02

Thanks Greg. I came across this interesting idea (http://www.oldbritts.com/42_100004.html) on customizing the K&N filter length to fit.